W.I.A.F.

W.I.A.F.; 46,952 Watch Knights Lose

AP

Published: April 1, 1991

LONDON, March 31—
Stan Gelbaugh threw for 326 yards and hit a 61-yard scoring pass to Andre Riley as the London Monarchs won their World League of American Football home opener, 22-18, today over the New York/New Jersey Knights before 46,952 fans at Wembley Stadium.

Gelbaugh overcame a shaky first half in which he threw three interceptions and repeatedly underthrew receivers. He finished with 24 completions in 40 attempts.

The Monarchs (2-0) fell behind in the opening minutes against the Knights' run-and-shoot offense but used their superior bulk and strength to wear down the visitors and score 19 points in the third quarter.

The Knights (0-2) scored on their first series. Running back Eric Wilkerson went 74 yards to the 1-yard on the third play of the game and quarterback Jeff Graham scored two plays later on a keeper.

But that was the only scoring play for the Knights until the final quarter.

The Monarchs got a 40-yard field goal from Phil Alexander of Britain midway through the second quarter but were stymied by the three interceptions thrown by Gelbaugh in the first half.

A 38-yard pass from Gelbaugh to Dana Brinson early in the third quarter led to a 3-yard touchdown run by David Smith that gave the Monarchs a 9-7 lead. Then Gelbaugh hit Riley with the 61-yard scoring pass.

The third London touchdown of the third period came on a blocked punt. Dan Crossman, a strong safety who intercepted a pass on the goal line just before halftime, blocked the punt and recovered it in the end zone, giving the Monarchs a 22-7 lead.

The Knights pulled within 7 points at 22-15 on an 8-yard run by Wilkerson and a 2-point conversion. Barry Belli later added a 30-yard field goal.

"We had almost 50,000 people in here on a Sunday night in a town that loves soccer," observed Gelbaugh. "That's unbelievable."

The Monarchs attracted a bigger crowd than any soccer or rugby match in England over the Easter weekend.